Mitraen Church
The Church:
Religion is very
important to the Velitar. The two principal faiths worshipped in the
valley are Mitra and Druidism.
Mitra:
The
worship of Mitra is a very, very old religion. At one time Mitra had
another name, which is known only to the Senior Priests and is a key
element of the Holy Word spells.
Mitra is identified with Light, Truth, Justice and the Slaying of
Demons and the destruction of the Undead. There are many common and
secret symbols of Mitra, the best known, and most widely recognized by
the faithful are as follows:
The White Bull:
Symbolizing the strength of Justice
The White Eagle:
Symbolizing the strength of Truth
The White Horse: Also
symbolizing the power of Justice. It
is the
ancient symbol of the Knights of the Velitar.
The Sword and The Flame:
Symbolizes the power over the
Darkness and
Demons.
March 5, 6 and 7
These
are some of the highest holy days in the faith. It is believed that
during these three days Mitra created man and shaped the world into
what it is today.
June 6
On this day it is believed that
Mitra saved the Ancients from the destruction of Paradise.
August 1
Probably the most important holy
day. It was on this day that Mitra defeated the Greatest Demon.
December 5
On this day Mitra made man self
aware and gave him free will.
Mitran clerics believe that the power to cast spells comes from
one of
two sources, Mitra or the Evil One. (It is believed by most religious
authorities that `Clerical' spells do not employ Mana like Wizard's
spells do. This is debated by some experts.) True Clerics, as opposed
to Fallen Clerics gain the power from Mitra. Fallen Clerics, Pagan
Clerics and Scarlet Cult priests all serve the Evil One, knowingly, as
in the case of Cult Priests and Fallen Clerics, or through ignorance,
as with Pagan Clerics.
Druidism is officially tolerated by the church but there are many in
the church who regard it with suspicion. The official line is that the
power behind Druidism is, like Mana, a naturally occurring emanation
generated by the life that Mitra created. This power is neither good or
evil, like Mana, and therefore using it is not an act of good or evil
except in the intent behind it. There are those in the church who feel
that Druidism goes too far as a religion and challenges the position of
Mitra as a supreme deity. They point to the close similarities between
Druidism and the Pagan faiths of the Jhensari. They feel that the
church has caved in and accepted Druidism merely as away of avoiding
further dissension amongst the Velitar and to stay on good terms with
the Elves.
In
addition to tending to the spiritual needs of the Faithful the clerics
of Mitra are sometimes required to employ their Power of Judgment over
the Faithful. To this end there are heavy vows of honesty and
truthfulness on the Priests, as well as a variety of optional vows.
Priests of Mitra are frequently called upon to serve as Judges in civil
disputes and minor criminal disputes amongst the Faithful. Generally it
is best to consult with the secular authorities or the senior church
official in the area before doing too much of this.
There are four Cathedrals to Mitra in the valley. The High Cathedral is
in the city of Velitrium. It is the seat of the Arch Bishop and head of
the church. The oldest Cathedral is in Drunmore and it is a very
important shrine to the Faith. The remaining Cathedrals are in Glenluce
and Rannoch.
Every town has a temple of some size and all the villages have chapels
and the roads, towns and countryside are dotted with shrines.
Shrines are found along roadsides, in village squares and sometimes off
the beaten path. The care and upkeep of the shrines are the
responsibility of the local Priest or Friar, and ultimately the
Monastery or Abbey that oversees the whole area.
Shrines remember Saints, Holy Men and Women, Champions of the Faith,
Miracles, great victories over Evil, Visions and sometimes famous,
wealthy or great people who paid via a behest to have a shrine built to
honor Mitra and preserve the individuals memory.
For example it is
customary for a shrine to be raised in each Duchy for the last King,
plus one in his home town or village.
Priests of Mitra by
definition have spell casting ability. But not all members of the
church's hierarchy can cast spells.
A
Friar or Reverend Sister is not a full Priest of Mitra and lack the
magical powers bestowed upon the Priest and Priestess. They are found
tending small chapels and shrines in villages whose population is too
small to warrant a Temple and Priest. They have most of the ceremonial,
non miraculous powers of a Priest but lack the Power of Judgment and
all spell casting ability.
A
Friar lives in or near the Chapel or Shrine. He must raise his own
food, though the monastery or Temple of the area will supply some food
or money to supplement this. The Friar is encouraged to be a part of
daily life and they are permitted to marry. This is a lifetime
position, though the assigned post may change. If a Friar gets too old
to carry out his duties, another assistant may be assigned to aid him
or her, or the friar may enter a monastery to live out his remaining
years at rest.
Some
Friars serve as aids and staff in the larger temples. Filling roles
that would be a waste for a more valuable Priest. For some, Friar hood
is merely a step on the way to becoming a Priest, but most priests do
not become Friars as part of their normal career paths.
Monks are not full Priests of Mitra either. They have dedicated
themselves to Mitra but either have not completed the training for
Investiture, were incapable of qualifying, or unwilling to attempt it.
They have some of the ceremonial non magical powers of a Priest, less
than even a Friar, but no spell casting ability.
Monk
hood is not binding for life. A monk may work to elevate him or her
self to the status of a Friar, something accomplished easily, or to a
priest, which is much more difficult, or they may return to the Laity
and resume normal lives. Every year a monk must renew his or her vows
to a Priest or Friar, or else return to the Laity.
Monks live in Monasteries (if male) and Priories, or Abbeys, (if
female). They spend their time in prayer and work. One task of the monk
is farming the land attached to the monastery. This supports the
monastery as well as providing food for the poor. Further, the
monasteries serve as little factories for the church. Each one has a
specialty item or two that it produces for the church's use. Incense,
vestments, alter pieces, wood working, sculpture, icons, tapestries,
are all produced, as well as more mundane goods for day to day use like
paper, ink, robes and clothing, leather work, even armor and some
weapons for the Sacarium Guards. In addition to these tasks all
monasteries and abbeys are responsible for copying and reproducing
Scripture, Missals, and sacred writings.
Abbots and Abbesses who run these centers for the Church are extremely
important. They can hold the key to the local economy as well as being
virtual feudal rulers. They generally oversee the affairs of all the
lessor temples, chapels and shrines in their area. (Unless they are
near a Cathedral). They must be skilled Administrators as well as being
Senior Priests. A percentage of the monasteries production of secular
goods may be marketed and the Abbot has much discretion in how the
profits are used.
The Sacarium Guards
These are the guards and warriors of the Church of Mitra. They serve as
Temple Guards, and guards of Monasteries and Abbeys. They can be male
or female and they are obligated to certain vows and duties. Some of
their vows are akin to those of a monk but their obligations are very
different.
In
addition to guard duties the Sacarium Guards also act as escorts for
high ranking church officials and for moving relics and tithes etc.
They will also be used on those occasions when the Church sends forces
against known strongholds of Evil.
Knight of Mitra
These men and women are very, very special to the Church. There are
only four Knights of Mitra at any one time. Presently there is only one
vacancy available. The role is as much a calling as it is a
profession. Like a Priest the Knight must dedicate his or her life to
Mitra, unlike a Priest the Knight must expect to die fulfilling Mitra's
will.
Knights are anointed by a Bishop after years of studying testing and
grooming. Mandatory skills include theology, law, tactics, strategy,
diplomacy, 3 weapon skills, savoire faire, heraldry, first aid, and
occultism.
Once
a Knight is anointed he or she is ultimately answerable only to the
Bishops of Mitra. He exists outside the normal hierarchy of the church.
Though expected to honor and respect the Priests, and in general to
obey them in most matters, one of the principal jobs of the Knight is
to police the ranks of the church. He or she seeks out corruption and
evil in the temple and sees it brought to justice. To this end the
Knight has many powers, abilities and advantages. The Knight also has
many restrictions, vows and limitations.
Religious Centers of Mitra in
Velitrium:
Cathedrals = 4
Abbeys = 13
Monasteries = 15
Temples = in every town = 20
Chapels = in every village = 25+
Shrines = all over the place
Shrines are found along roadsides, in village squares and sometimes off
the beaten path. The care and upkeep of the shrines are the
responsibility of the local Priest or Deacon, and ultimately the
Monastery or Abbey that oversees the whole area.
Shrines remember Saints, Holy Men and Women, Champions of the Faith,
Miracles, great victories over Evil, Visions and sometimes famous,
wealthy or great people who paid via a behest to have a shrine built to
honor Mitra and preserve the individuals memory.
For example it is
customary for a shrine to be raised in each Duchy for the last King,
plus one in his home town or village.
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